The POD progress report…

Regular readers have noted a distinct lack of blogging in recent months (thanks to those who emailed in to enquire if I was still upright!). POD has been super busy working with the Westfield Carindale design team on the development and delivery of a brand new casual dining precinct that includes Grill'd, Guzman Y Gomez, Wagamama, Ginga, good coffee from Veneziano, a totally new look Toscani's, Yum Cha, a Belgian chocolate shop and more  (the locals are loving it!).  Four days after this new precinct opened, the Wintergarden redevelopment in Brisbane's CBD also opened (lots of VM pics below on that one), and with no more than about 40 winks of sleep I found myself lending a VM hand at Westfield Fountain Gate (Melbourne) over the past few weeks. Given the very long list of 'boxes ticked' over the past few months you won't be surprised to know it took a very strong flat white to get fired up today and file these stories!

Slight set back

Rather than a hoarding on the lease line POD pushed back to create a small seating zone next to Ivan's Deli. Over sized olive oil bottles and popular deli goodies created visual impact for this temporary zone in the new Fresh Food Market at Westfield Fountain Gate.

VM Westfield Food
19/05/2012

Floral fries & burger butterflies

A sushi sun, ribbon sandwich sunflowers, taco and burger butterflies and espresso flower pots ... more creative concepts from POD to promote the new Wintergarden food hall. Vinyl print and install by Forbes House, Brisbane.

VM Food Other Brisbane
19/05/2012

A little bit cheeky

POD has recently completed the concept development and branding for a quick service food outlet that can be found in the food hall at the new look Wintergarden in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall. Fresh and fabulous South East Asian salads, rice paper rolls and iced teas are being served up at Ms Chi Qi (pronounced Ms Cheeky).  Brisbane readers should pop in for a Peking duck wrap, prawn rice paper roll or a thai beef salad ... it's v. good!

I like Pat

Loving the look of Studio Equator's comprehensive brand story and store design for a grilled steak sandwich bar  in inner Melbourne. I am a sucker for screen printed ply and a brand having more than a passing try. It's quirky, fun and friendly. You can read more about it on Studio Equator's blog (big thank you to Carlos and the SE crew for the pics) or just go and have a grilled sandwich the Philly way at Pats.  You can find Pat at 338 Bridge Road Richmond Melbourne.

Design Food Melbourne
28/02/2012

More on the go for Ko Ka Ko

New Zealand indie coffee brand with a loyal following, KoKaKo, has opened a good looking new cafe in a somewhat forgotten/dodgey spot on Great North Road. A brand that takes the road less travelled, from all accounts the locals are loving it. Serving up really good coffee, food and service in a great looking space, why wouldn't they be voting with their feet?! If you're living in, or lurking about, Auckland then head to 537 Great North Road Grey Lynn.

KoKaKo Food Auckland
25/02/2012

Starbucks … seriously

Kengo Kuma's signature slick stick style repositions Starbucks into a new stratosphere. Not sure I would love to be the staff members assigned the dusting duties, but from a drama perspective it beats the competition with more than one big stick. Click to see another of Kuma's projects previously featured by POD. Via The Contemporist

Design Starbucks Food
23/02/2012

Now baking…

Cupcakes have enjoyed a strong run for the past 5 or more years here in Oz. Lots of cute shops have appeared. What I liked about Cupcake Central (aside from the simple black and white finishes palette and retro branding) is the show kitchen where you can see your favorite flavour being baked and iced. Pop in for a peek, you'll find CCC upstairs in the food court area of Melbourne Central.

Melbourne Central Food
23/12/2011

B&P takes the cake

If you're a sweet tooth with an appreciation for premium, and you live in Melbourne, then I assume you are well and truly familiar with Burch & Purchese. Ian (Burch) & Darren (Purchese), a pair of tres tres talented Poms with serious culinary pedigrees, have worked together for a number of years. Under the B&P label they have taken the architecture of sweets, and the idea of what a dessert could be, to new design heights. Infusions and reductions, clays and crumbs make their way into intense flavoured jellies, jams, slabs and sorbets which, when combined, create some seriously sensational sweets. Customised cakes for all sorts of celebrations are a speciality. Well respected Australian chef Cath Claringbold (& wife of Darren), manages the front of house (and a zillion other things). Cath is the perfect hostess. She will have you stop by and sniff/taste/touch all sorts of wonderful textures and sometimes unexpected flavours to devise a cake that reflects you and your occasion.  I don't think I am doing them justice ... really just go and taste it for yourself (the Hendricks Gin Marshmallow, the freeze dried Raspberry & Choc Eclair, the Avocado Mint Cucumber Apple Yoghurt & Lime number that was sublime, the gingerbread and ... really I could go on for hours) Burch & Purchese, 647 Chapel St South Yarra (opposite the Como Hotel).

They’ve got the local market cornered

The corner store cafe in Toowong is where the locals queue for a casual weekend brekkie. You can lob up in your lycra or go all out and pop on some lippy before you down that latte.  It's as cute as a button and it has its own veggie patch for the kids (and kitchen brigade) to explore.  Tanya Lea is pictured here with her camera.  She is a very good person to know. Tan is the queen of organisation and systems and can sort an office into shape in no time (or wardrobe, kitchen, garage etc). She has just launched a new blog ... www.declutterhome.com.au ... and has done a great job for me on various 'sorting and systems' projects over the past 2 years so I thought I'd share her services with you.  Tan is based in Melbourne, the Corner Store Cafe is at 113 Sylvan Road Toowong Brisbane.

Food Other Brisbane
21/12/2011